Hadi Awang : Pas Will Rule Selangor

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has declared the party’s intention to wrest the Selangor government in the 14th general election (GE14) and make it a “model administration” for other states.

He said the party, which is part of the current PKR-led state government, would be fair to all races with its Islamic rule.

“Selangor must become an example. We hope the people of Selangor will choose our Islamic leadership,” he said in his speech at Selangor PAS’ Fastaqim 2.4 gathering and launch of its election machinery at the Stadium JKR here today.

The Marang MP added that Muslims should be at the forefront in leading the country.

“Choose Muslim candidates who can uphold the teachings of Islam,” he said, assuring that the welfare of non-Muslims would not be overlooked.

“Our obligation is to be fair to all. It would be sinful if we do not behave fairly towards non-Muslims,” he said.

In the last general election in May 2013, the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat (PR), of which PAS was also a member, retained power in the state by winning 44 of the 56 state assembly seats.

PAS and DAP won 15 seats each, while PKR got 14 seats. The remaining 12 seats were won by Barisan Nasional (BN).

Despite the PR alliance being terminated in June 2015, the three parties have maintained their cooperation in the state government under Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, who is PKR deputy president.

On Aug 24 last year, Selangor PAS said it was targeting to contest at least 42 state seats, including Bukit Antarabangsa, held by Azmin, and Kajang, which was won by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in a by-election in 2014.

State PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi had said PAS was ready to face three-cornered fights with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN, including in the Gombak parliamentary constituency, also held by Azmin.

Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad told the gathering that PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who quit the ruling Umno party in February 2016, should not teach PAS how to be an opposition force.

He said PAS had been in the opposition for 67 years and was experienced in facing election battles.

“Someone wants to teach PAS how to be an opposition force in the fight against Umno,” he said, referring to the former prime minister of 22 years.

“If you really want to learn how to fight against BN, you need to learn it from PAS,” he added.

“This person is just now learning the ropes of becoming an opposition force and he wants to teach PAS how to be one,” Idris said.

Mahathir, on Jan 16, had challenged PAS to name its choice for prime minister ahead of GE14, in response to speculation that PAS and Umno had formed a “secret pact” for the polls.-FMT